The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1887-01-14
TIE RUSH VALLEY ELECTION.
Mr. A. j StoOkey Clearly Defends
His POsitiOa.
RvsH VALLEY, Utah. Jan. II. 1887.

'NotuiuS UuG nlgn sense OF the lnlu
tlce done me, together with my fellow
trustees and the people in general in
this little place, in an article which
appeared in the SEMI WEEKLY HERALD
OF the 9th inst. entitled, ''SchooI Quer-
ries, " would induce me, with my feeble
pen, to make any reply or defence; but
knowing you have no desire to injure
anyone through your columns, submit
to you the other, and the true side f
the story. l am school trustee and
the one that took such a prominent
part in the school meeting mentioned
in the article above referred to at least,
It's stated so by MIR. Rural.
Fol-. some years past certain indi-
glduai OF this place who numbers his
children. by the score, ten or fifteen of
which are Of the school age, and whom
have every reason to believe is identi-
cal with Mr.. Rural, has for sumo reason
been opposed to school tax, and has
hindered education all he could, allow
ing but one or two of his own children
to attend school unless it was free; and
prior TO the meeting held on the 9th ult
those he thought would be of his mind
and urged them to be present and vote
against tax.
Accordingly quite a number of the
taxpayers, but not all as was stated by
the gentleman, were present and several
of those opposed to tax brought their
wives with them for the purpose of
voting at said meeting.
Unfortunately for me l was elected
chairman of the meeting, and in the
discharge of my duties was guided by
the law, and not by any one from Salt
Lake City, as was stated by Mr.. Rural;
nor were ali the women rejected, as was
set forth by his honor.
Those. and only those whose votes
were challenged and could not or would
not produce the proof required in
section of the school law as to their
qualifications to vote at such meeting
were rejected.
At this the active individual above
referred to, who, by the way, is our
esteemed president of the Y. M M. l.
A., became much frustrated, as he had
his wife there, and entertained the
absurd idea that he was going to run in
four solid votes for no tax on one for
tax re teipt.
We have large per cent. of numb
skulls in this little place, must say,
but it wont do for our worthy friend to
judge US all by himself.
Now, as to my proposing to allow the
women 10 vote on payment of 81 each,
and saying that, when no dollars ap-
peared their votes would not be counted
anyway, they are base falseboods.
The facts of the case are these:
MI ~F
the opinion that trustees were not en-
powered to administer an oath, and as
] am a notary public, 1 was applied TO
by some opposed TO tax to administer
the oath to them that theV might have
voice in the matte. l agreed to do
this, resigned my position as chairman
for moment, and was ready for bust
ness as notary, and thinking l had a
right to value my services as / pleased,
as no one need employ me unless they
choose, l announced that would col
lect 81 each from those to whom | ad-
ministered the oath and not that /
would allow them to vote for that sum.
The result was that none were any
longer DESTROYS Of subscribing to an oath
of qualification and consequently the
reasonable tax Of one half of one per
cent. was declared.
After carefully looking over the school
law and all its amendments fail to find
any place where the trustees are em
powered to administer an oath.
You will confer favor on myself and
my fellow trustees by telling US where
We may find it, and also if we were COM
PEELED to administer such an oath or
may we use our own pleasure in the
matter2
AS to my being kept at home next |
election day as suggested in the article |
above mentioned. it shows q bright idea |
from some source.
l will simply say that l have no par
ticular desire to be any where else Than |
at home election day, but will be out in |
full force, but not with my wife when |
the day comes round for levyIng ano-
Their school tax.
Having already been favored with a
fictitious name, l might simply sign
the "Rara Avis" of Rush Valley, but
having never written anything of which
[ am ashamed, shall subscribe myself
Yours respectfully,
ALoNzo J. STooKEY.